Lighting and Health

Circadian-aware lighting and light-based regulation of circadian rhythms has the potential to significantly improve productivity, health and well-being in healthy patient populations as well as for workers with disrupted sleep cycles, hospital patients and individuals sensitive to lighting effects. Control algorithms based on established circadian dynamics are instrumental in the implementation of circadian-aware lighting. The ERC is exploring significant opportunities for research utilizing advanced circadian-aware lighting systems and associated health applications. Goals include the research, development, testing and evaluation of smart lighting technologies for their impact on the health and well-being of both healthy individuals and specific patient populations.

Cluster Focus

Research in this cluster include modelling the dynamics of circadian rhythms, human circadian rhythm management, circadian control research applied to the treatment of sleep disorders and circadian disruption for patients with traumatic brain injuries. The research is supported by the drosophila testbed at RPI to effectively utilize drosophila in the modeling and implementation of circadian rhythm control algorithms. The Hospital Inpatient LightingTestbed installed by the ERC at the University of New Mexico Hospital is equipped with an integrated network of tunable LED luminaires, sensors and controls to support a controlled experimental environment for human health applications of smart light technologies.

The ERC is building intelligent controls for autonomous lighting systems that adapt to human needs and environmental changes. These smart lighting systems will generate high-quality tunable illumination that enhances a person’s performance, health and well-being.